Discover Montreal on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Montreal on the river islands is Canada's second largest (after Toronto) city. It combines skyscrapers and parks with cobbled streets, a cosmopolitan atmosphere with French culture. The symbol of Montreal is Mont Royal with a 70m cross and a park.
Montreal has a metro (4 lines, 68 stations) serving the center, east and north, connecting to the continent. From station to station you can go through underground passages. This is a full-fledged city underground with an exhibition complex, theaters, shops, cafes.
The most prestigious and oldest university, McGill University is ranked among the best in the world. Another university for English-speaking students is Concordia, which is considered an international business school. In Universite de Montreal and Universite du Quebec Francophone students study. Montreal has the Universite de Sherbrooke and Universite Laval campuses.
During a pandemic, careful travel preparation is required. It is recommended to visit the city's website to determine the current situation.
Those who love independence or want to travel out of the city rent a car. Services are already available at the airport. However, it is important to consider that in Montreal there are many potholes on the roads, which the locals call “chicken nests”. Although millions of dollars are spent every year to eliminate them, the quality of the roads does not change. The main reason is a large amount of snow and ice in winter. The locals are used to this, if you follow them, any troubles are prevented.
What to see in Montreal
There are a lot of attractions in this city. It takes (at least) 2 weeks to see everything.
All tourists are the first to inspect the old city with the port, cathedrals, galleries, shops, restaurants. Museum Pointe-à-Callière helps you get to know the history of Montreal better. In this part of the city is also the Basilica of Notre Dame, built in 1824. This church is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.
One of the most important in North America is Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal. Among the 40,000 exhibits are paintings by Matisse and Picasso, examples of modern art, finds by Mediterranean archaeologists, sculptures, engravings, drawings, porcelain, caskets, and antique fabrics. The shop sells books and souvenirs. Wheelchairs are provided for people with disabilities.
The Leaning Tower La tour de Montréal is the tallest of the Leaning Towers (175 meters, 45 degrees). It does not fall due to a good ratio between the weight at the bottom and not at the top (145 thousand to 8 thousand tons). A funicular is installed in the tower, capable of holding the cabin in a horizontal position. There is nothing like it in the whole world.
Montreal Botanical Garden recognized as a monument nature, 22 thousand plants collected from all over the world. The outdoor area is divided into thematic zones dedicated to individual regions.
Another interesting park is located on Saint Helen Island. Its attraction is Biosphere, built 57 years ago. This is a dome under which there is a museum dedicated to the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem.
There are many hotels near the Biosphere with parking lots where you can park your rental cars.
In Montreal, there are many farmers, street, flea markets, the largest "Jean Talon". Tourists buy milk and cheeses, fruits, mushrooms, herbs. Prices are lower than in grocery stores.
Sights near Montreal
Near the city is the town of Saint-Adolph-d'Howard with tourist center of Mont Avalanche. In winter you can go skiing, in summer you can go hiking with different levels of difficulty. The campsite has open parking. In autumn there is a festival with games for children, rides, a pumpkin exhibition.
Leveille hiking trail in the Riviere-du-Nord park. By car, you need to go north, go to Wilson Falls, go up to the river with a great picnic spot.
The Arbraska attraction is open in summer. This is a tree trip for adults and children.
You can drive to Mont-Rigaud from L'Escapade in half an hour. This is a network where you can walk, run, admire the flora and fauna, ride horses.
Another place to walk is the Soulanges Canal at Pointe-des-Cascades. This small town is connected by rivers to Beauharnois-Salaberry, accessible from the island of Montreal.
The best restaurants in Montreal
The main dish, even in restaurants, is smoked pork marinated with spices. Sold with french fries, white bread, mustard. In second place are bagels baked in a wood-fired oven, topped with syrup and poppy seeds. Foie gras is loved in Montreal, many restaurants are dedicated to this dish. Walk dogs are not at all like traditional ones, as they are steamed. A special dish is a pie with meat, potatoes, cloves and cinnamon, which is eaten with ketchup, maple syrup, cranberry jam. Best restaurants:
Au Pied de Coche (+1 514-281-1114, for lovers of meat dishes (roast pig, game, duck baked with herbs), lovers of vegetable dishes order onion soup;
Toque (+15144992084), foie gras according to the author's recipe, a lot of meat, first courses, desserts;
Georgia Restaurant (+1 514-482-1881), Georgian dishes, dumplings with poultry, beef, borscht, kebabs, desserts;
Restaurant Bonaparte (+15148444368), separate menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, meat and fish dishes, venison, desserts.
Parking in Montreal
Parking restrictions lifted in winter. In many parking lots (1300 places in total), cars can be left free of charge from 21.00 to 07.00. The rest of the time, prices are also affordable ($ 1.5-3 per hour). Popular car parks:
AutoParc Stanley 1200 Rue Stanley, Montréal, QC H3B 2S8, $18 per night
Rue Notre-Dame Ouest & Rue de l'Inspecteur Montréal, QC H3C 1J9, $2 per hour
Stationnement au Mont-Royal 11088 Chem. Remembrance, Montréal, QC H3H 1A1, $1 per hour,
Car rental is available at the airport. Bookingautos cooperates with national companies around the world and can offer several options at the airport exit. Customers are provided with any assistance through the call center and chat.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
24 € / Day
Best price
17 € / Day
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
January
€188
February
€123
March
€134
April
€139
May
€174
June
€235
July
€237
August
€240
September
€167
October
€129
November
€107
December
€147
* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Montreal rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Montreal is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Montreal there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A5 Cabrio will cost you €229.
Our fleet has cars of all price categories, from budget to premium: sedans, convertibles, SUVs, minivans, business class cars. You can choose a rental car based on your preferences and budget.
The cost of car rental per day directly depends on the season, car class and rental period. The more days, the cheaper average daily cost. A modest economy car will cost at least €15 per day. In the middle segment, the offer range is €43-€46 per day. Business class car prices start at €51. In the high season, absolutely all rental cars become more expensive, especially rare models and convertibles. So, in summer in Montreal popular with tourists Audi A5 Cabrio costs at least €71 per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Tesla Model S when ordering in Montreal will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Montreal is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Audi A1 or Ford Fiesta. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting VW Passat Estate in Montreal will cost €31 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Montreal may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Montreal, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Montreal - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
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Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Montreal
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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